The Soft Whisper of Dreams

by Christina Courtenay

  ‘Oh, not for ages yet, so she has told me to go back to Devon for a while and come back in a couple of weeks. She seems to think I’ll be safer there.’

  ‘Because he’s here?’

  Maddie shook her head. ‘No, Alex, we were wrong. It wasn’t him. It was a genuine accident.’

  ‘Yes,’ Jane added. ‘Mother says she was daydreaming and not looking where she was going. She just forgot to check the traffic before crossing the road. She’s not used to London yet.’

  ‘I see.’ Alex looked at the pair of them and could see they truly believed this. That was a relief – one thing less to worry about. But it meant the crazy coot, Blake-Jones, was probably still on the loose somewhere near Marcombe. ‘You haven’t heard anything from the police in Devon, have you?’ he asked Maddie.

  ‘No, nothing yet, but I’m sure they’re doing their best.’

  Alex wished they’d hurry up as he didn’t like to think of Maddie, her mother and half-sister in danger. ‘Well, it’s up to you whether we stay here or not.’

  ‘All right, I guess I’ll go back then, or what do you think?’ Maddie glanced at Jane for confirmation.

  Jane nodded agreement. ‘Yes, no point us both being here. I’ll visit her every day and let you know how she’s getting on.’

  ‘Okay then.’ Alex stood up and closed the book he’d been reading. ‘Let’s go.’

  ‘I really should have stayed in London to look for a job,’ Maddie said to Kayla the next evening. She was unpacking her belongings for the third time in the guest room at Marcombe and it was beginning to feel like coming home. In comparison, the flat in London had seemed strangely alien. ‘I’ve lazed around doing nothing for long enough.’

  ‘Yes, but you promised you would stay a bit longer and then you were called away in the middle of it. You have to finish your holiday and anyway, we’ve hardly seen you,’ Kayla protested with a smile.

  ‘Rubbish, I’ve been here for weeks, months even.’

  ‘Well, a few more days won’t make any difference. The children missed you and so did I. Wes has been so busy I’ve barely seen him, what with doing his own work and looking after Alex’s cottages as well.’

  Maddie hung her head. ‘I’m sorry about that, Kayla. I did try to tell him to stay here, but there was no way of changing his mind.’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry about that. I don’t mind really. Now, come on, you’d better help me get the little ones into bed so they know you’re back.’

  ‘Oh, Maddie, I’m so sorry, I completely forgot,’ Kayla exclaimed halfway through a piece of toast the next morning.

  ‘What did you forget?’ Maddie took a sip of tea and regarded her friend. She had almost been startled into dropping the mug by Kayla’s sudden outburst, since her thoughts had been on quite another matter – the man who was sitting opposite her at the table. His blue gaze had been fixed on her with embarrassing intensity and Maddie was trying desperately to think of a way to tell him to stop it without Kayla noticing.

  ‘That Mr Ruthven rang and left you a message. He wants you to call him back. Honestly, I don’t know how it could have slipped my mind.’

  ‘The man we spoke to at Wisteria Lodge?’

  ‘Yes, that’s the one. I wrote down the number for you, hold on and I’ll find it.’

  Kayla dashed off towards the hall, leaving Maddie alone with Alex and she seized her chance.

  ‘Would you please stop staring at me,’ she hissed at him.

  ‘Why?’ He raised an eyebrow at her and leaned back in his chair.

  ‘I don’t like it. It makes me nervous.’

  ‘I don’t see why it should. I’m just admiring your vibrant beauty this morning.’ He grinned. ‘Besides, it’s a free world.’

  ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, you sound like Nell.’ Maddie clenched her fists under the table. He really was the most infuriating man she’d ever met.

  ‘Childish, you mean?’ He laughed. ‘Well, two can play at that game. You shouldn’t try to avoid me so much, then I wouldn’t have to stare at you.’

  ‘I never ―’

  ‘Here we are, I found it.’ Kayla returned in triumph carrying a small scrap of paper which she handed to Maddie. ‘This is the number. He said you could call any time.’

  Maddie was still seething, but managed a smile of thanks. ‘I’d better do it now then, before I forget. See you later.’ After one last glare at Alex she left the kitchen and ran up the stairs.

  As she sat down next to the phone to catch her breath she looked at the piece of paper and wondered what the man could want now. Had he perhaps remembered something? Her stomach did a small somersault. Was it possible she’d been right after all? There had been no opportunity to discuss the house with her mother before leaving London, so Maddie was none the wiser. With fingers that shook slightly she dialled Mr Ruthven’s number.

  She let it ring at least twenty times and was about to hang up when someone finally answered. ‘Hello?’ It wasn’t the Scottish burr she had expected, but an entirely different voice, albeit still a man.

  ‘Oh, er, may I speak to Mr Ruthven, please? This is Maddie Browne. He asked me to call.’

  ‘Ah, Ms Browne. Thank you for calling back. It was me who called actually, I’m the brother of the Mr Ruthven you met.’

  ‘I see, that explains it.’

  ‘Explains what?’ The man sounded puzzled.

  ‘Why I didn’t recognise your voice.’

  ‘You mean the wee accent,’ he said in a perfect imitation of his brother. ‘I can do it too, but I’ve lived here in Devon for so long I don’t usually talk like that anymore.’

  ‘Well, now you sound very alike.’

  ‘So they say. Anyway, the reason I called you was because I think I might be able to help you. You told Colin you thought you recognised my house.’

  Maddie suddenly found breathing difficult and her voice, when she answered, came out in a hoarse whisper. ‘You can? How?’

  ‘I don’t really want to discuss it over the phone. Would you mind visiting again and I’ll tell you in person?’

  ‘Er, sure. I mean, of course. When should I come? When would be convenient for you?’ she amended. Her thought processes didn’t appear to be in normal working order and she had to concentrate really hard.

  ‘How about Friday?’

  ‘Okay. And what time would you like me to come?’

  ‘Any time in the afternoon. Oh, and Ms Browne? Come the back way again, I’m having trouble with my front door at the moment. It’s stuck.’

  ‘Right. I’ll see you then. Bye.’

  After she had hung up Maddie collapsed in a little heap next to the wall. It was as if all the air had gone out of her and she simply couldn’t stand up. Three days until Friday. How was she going to survive the wait? It would seem endless.

  ‘Never mind,’ she finally muttered. ‘I’ve waited this long, I can wait three days. I’ll just have to find something to occupy myself with.’

  ‘Auntie Maddie, who are you talking to?’ Nell came skipping along the corridor looking as if she were practising the Highland fling.

  ‘What? Oh, just myself.’

  ‘That’s silly. Why don’t you talk to Kayla instead? At least then you’d get an answer.’

  Maddie had to smile. She stood up. ‘You’re right, of course. But tell me, what are you up to?’

  ‘I’ve just been to visit Jago.’ Nell was still hopping from one foot to another. Maddie shook her head. The child didn’t have a still bone in her body. It must be wonderful to have so much energy.

  ‘Jago? You mean your ancestor in the painting?’

  ‘Yes. I talk to him sometimes because Kayla told me he talked to her, but he never answers me. Maybe one day he will, though.’

  ‘You never know. So what did you tell him?’

  ‘Well, today I told him there are gypsies camped in one of our fields. He was a gypsy himself, did you know? Or at least his mummy was. So I thought he’d like to hear that.’

&
nbsp; ‘Really? Where? I mean, which field?’

  ‘Let’s go for a walk and I’ll show you. It’s not very far.’

  ‘All right. Let me just change my shoes. Wait here a second. No, actually, why don’t you run and tell Kayla we’re going for a walk and I’ll meet you in the hall.’

  ‘Okay. See you there.’

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was a long shot, but worth a try, Maddie decided. The gypsies camped in the field near Marcombe may not be the right ones, but they might be able to help her in any case. She desperately wanted to see Madame Romar again to ask her some more questions now that part of her prediction had come true. And even if she wasn’t in this particular camp, the people there might know where she could be found. Maddie had never been so confused in her life and could definitely do with some help, psychic or otherwise. The woman might be able to explain her predictions in more detail.

  Nell skipped along beside her and talked almost incessantly about school, about her friends and anything else she could think of. ‘Don’t you ever stop to breathe?’ Maddie finally asked with a giggle. She didn’t see how anyone could find so much to talk about.

  ‘No, not very often. Kayla says I’m a chatterbox, but I don’t mind. And Daddy says I’m going to be a politician, maybe even the Prime Minister. Do you think I will?’

  Maddie laughed. ‘It wouldn’t surprise me. Or perhaps you should be a lawyer like your daddy, but the kind that defends people in court. They have to talk a lot and be good at arguing.’

  ‘Well, I’m good at arguing with my brother. He drives me nuts sometimes.’

  ‘That’s understandable, but I didn’t quite mean that sort of arguing. Never mind. Is that the camp over there?’ She pointed to a collection of camper vans over to their right.

  ‘Yep, that’s it. I told you it wasn’t far.’ Nell skipped ahead, practising her whistling at the same time. Maddie winced.

  As they neared the camp she saw children running about and women hanging washing up to dry in the sun. She scanned their faces, but the familiar one of Madame Romar was nowhere in sight. The gypsies stopped talking when Maddie and Nell walked towards the nearest Winnebago and the oldest one stepped forward cautiously.

  ‘Can I help you?’ The woman’s clothes were colourful, albeit not as garish as the ones Madame Romar had worn for her fortune-telling. They were also a lot more modern.

  ‘Well, I’m not sure, but I’m looking for a lady by the name of Madame Romar. She tells fortunes at fairs and I wondered if by any chance she was here?’

  ‘Yes, I’m here.’ Maddie spun round. Madame Romar was standing in the doorway of the next camper van, dressed almost entirely in black and Maddie had to look hard before she recognised the woman. ‘What do you want with me?’

  It wasn’t an auspicious beginning and Maddie swallowed hard before stammering out her request. ‘I-I, er ... j-just wondered i-if I could have a word with you. I would appreciate your help.’ Nell had sidled up to her and clutched at her hand. There was no outright antagonism from any of the gypsies, but there were no welcoming smiles either. Everyone stood stock still waiting for Madame Romar’s next words. The old woman took her time before finally giving a curt nod.

  ‘Very well. Come in.’ She turned on her heel and disappeared into the van and Maddie followed reluctantly. Now that she’d found the woman it didn’t seem like such a good idea any longer.

  ‘Do we have to go in there?’ Nell whispered.

  Maddie squeezed the little girl’s hand reassuringly. ‘Only for a few moments, I promise. It won’t take long. Or you can sit on the steps and wait for me? Just so long as I can see you.’

  ‘No, I want to stay with you.’

  Inside it was surprisingly roomy and spotlessly clean. Madame Romar waved them onto a small built-in sofa and they sat down. The woman pulled up a chair and seated herself opposite them.

  ‘You have come to ask me questions, am I right?’

  ‘Um, yes. If you don’t mind? I will pay you, of course.’ Maddie blinked when the woman shook her head almost angrily.

  ‘No,’ Madame Romar barked. ‘You have already paid me and I’ve told you all I can. I cannot help you any further.’

  ‘But ... part of what you told me has come true and I wondered, that is, can’t you give me a few more details? It’s all so confusing.’ Maddie drew in a deep breath to stem the tide of disappointment washing over her.

  ‘Of course my prediction has come true. I told you the truth, not the nonsense I tell most people.’ Madame Romar shook her head. ‘Bah! They’re idiots, most of them. They hear only what they want to hear anyway, so that’s what I tell them. But you were different. I can’t be more specific, however, you have to figure it out for yourself. That’s part of the solution.’

  Maddie frowned. ‘I’ve tried to understand your meaning, but your words don’t make sense.’

  The woman gave a cackling laugh. ‘Maybe not now, but they will. You have to be patient, my dear. Some prophesies take years to happen and when they do you will know. Patience is difficult for young people, I know, but it has to be learned.’

  ‘I see.’ Maddie stood up. ‘Well, thank you for talking to me anyway. I’m sorry to have disturbed you in your home.’

  ‘Not at all. You’re welcome any time. You are almost like family, just as the little one is.’ Madame Romar smiled at Nell, who looked up in surprise.

  ‘Me? You mean because of Great-great-something grandpa Jago?’

  ‘Certainly I do. His mother was my great-great-something aunt, so you’re practically one of us. In fact, Jago was the one who made sure we had the right to camp here whenever we want.’ The old woman’s smile broadened and Nell’s shyness evaporated instantly.

  ‘I talk to him a lot, you know,’ she confided.

  Madame Romar nodded. ‘Good for you. He can hear you, but I’m afraid he can’t answer.’

  ‘I know. He only talked to Kayla and ―’

  ‘Come on, chatterbox,’ Maddie interrupted. ‘I’m sure Madame Romar has things to do.’ She took Nell by the hand and led her out into the blinding sunshine once more. As she began to descend the steps the old woman put a hand on her shoulder.

  ‘There may be more danger to come, but believe in happiness and I think everything will work out.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Maddie turned away to hide the tears that appeared from nowhere. The words were small comfort, but comfort nonetheless. She stared at the ground as they left the camp and didn’t notice whether any of the other families watched their departure.

  ‘Was it today you were going to see Mr Ruthven?’ Kayla asked on the Friday morning.

  ‘Yes, this afternoon.’ The endless three days had finally snailed past and Maddie was in a state of nervous exhaustion. Her fingernails had never been more abused and she’d even had to resort to putting plasters on some of them. Nailbiting was a stupid habit and one she really must stop, she reflected.

  She looked up and caught Alex’s gaze on her again. He had developed an uncanny ability to come down to breakfast at the same time as Maddie every morning and today was no exception. Alex never sought her company deliberately, but more often than not he seemed to be around. He winked at her now and she scowled back, casting an uneasy glance towards Kayla to see if she had noticed the exchange, but Kayla was absorbed in feeding Edmund. The little boy was becoming very wilful and every second spoonful of apple porridge went somewhere other than into his mouth; either on the table, the floor or on himself and his mother.

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ Alex suddenly announced.

  ‘I’m sorry, what?’ Maddie had been miles away and had forgotten the previous topic of conversation.

  ‘To see Mr Ruthven,’ Alex explained. ‘I don’t think you should go alone. He might be another crazy old coot. There seem to be a lot of them about.’

  ‘Oh, yes, do take Alex with you,’ Kayla agreed before exclaiming, ‘Oh, Eddie, now look what you’ve done!’ The little boy chortled with laughter
at the sight of his mother’s T-shirt covered in porridge and Maddie had to turn away to hide a smile. She soon grew serious again though.

  ‘I’d rather go by myself actually,’ she told Alex. ‘I’m sure Mr Ruthven isn’t dangerous and I’ll tell him that you all know where I am.’

  Alex shook his head. ‘Not good enough. If he’s a nutter he won’t care if anyone knows. Look at the other guy. Everyone’s after him, but that doesn’t stop him.’

  ‘It’s been days now and no one has seen him. He’s probably left the area, maybe even fled abroad.’

  ‘I don’t think so. And Foster told me he thought he saw someone hanging around the gates yesterday, although when he tried to go after him, the man disappeared.’

  Maddie gasped. ‘Blake-Jones?’ The name came out as a whisper as she couldn’t make her voice work suddenly.

  Alex shook his head. ‘No, a guy in a knitted hat, but still …’

  ‘Alex is right, Maddie,’ Kayla said firmly. ‘You can’t go alone. If you won’t take him, then I’ll have to ask Wes to go with you.’

  ‘I’m not a baby,’ Maddie grumbled. ‘Oh, okay then, come with me if you want to, but you’ll probably be bored silly,’ she told Alex.

  ‘In your company? Never.’ He grinned at her and she gritted her teeth to keep from throwing something at him.

  ‘Do you know what I like most about being in your company?’ Alex asked as they drove along the now familiar route later that day.

  ‘I couldn’t guess in a million years,’ Maddie muttered and stared out the window on her side of the car.

  ‘It’s so restful. You don’t chatter constantly like Nell and the boys or whisper sweet nothings to each other like Kayla and Wes. Always silent and peaceful.’ He sighed. ‘Mind you, one can have too much of a good thing sometimes.’

  ‘Oh, shut up, Alex.’ She turned a fulminating look on him and he chuckled.

  ‘Well, at least I got you to look at me with those beautiful green eyes of yours. I do so love it when they shoot sparks.’ Maddie hit him on the shoulder.

  ‘Now, now, you don’t want me to drive off the road, do you? You’d better cool that red-head’s temper of yours before you see Mr Ruthven.’